High Ridge woman wins Family Holiday Album photo contest
By Teresa Inserra
Judi Ronzio of High Ridge said she has been entering Leader Publications’ photo contests for more than 10 years, submitting photos of her garden, her travels and her grandchildren and pets. Her efforts finally have been rewarded.
She sent in a picture for the Leader Family Holiday Album, and it was selected randomly as the photo contest winner. Ronzio will receive $200 as the prize.
“I don’t think I’ve ever won anything,” she said.
Ronzio, 74, submitted an old family picture of her and her sister, Janet, and their dog, Sally, by their Christmas tree. Her mother took the photo on Christmas Day in 1958, when Ronzio was 7 and her sister was 5.
Ronzio said the photo was taken at the family’s House Springs home not too long after they moved there.
“(The day the photo was taken) was one of my favorite Christmas memories as a child,” Ronzio said.
When the family moved to House Springs, it was still “country,” she said.
“We had a great childhood living there,” she added.
Ronzio said her father raised coon dogs, and Sally was one of his dogs.
The Leader received about 60 photo submissions from Jefferson County, Eureka and Wildwood-area residents. Readers were asked to submit photos of themselves, family members and friends celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other winter holiday.
Judi Ronzio of High Ridge won the Family Holiday Album photo contest with a picture taken by her mother on Christmas Day in 1958 of Judi and her sister, Janet, with their dog, Sally.
Cindy Foster of Arnold sent a photo of her great-niece, Emmy, dressed as Cindy Lou Who for Christmas last year. The picture was taken by Emmy’s mother, Becky.
Thomas Zacher of Fenton sent a photo taken by his mother, Mary Zacher, in December 1959 in St. Louis. Thomas sits on the floor with his sister, Mary Ellen, behind him and their cousin, Ricky Schroer, to the left.
Thomas Zacher of Fenton sent a photo taken by his mother, Mary Zacher, in December 1960. “I remember my mom wanted a nice photo of me, but all I could think about was ‘where’s the presents?’” Thomas said.
Peggy Heitert of Herculaneum took this picture of her grandson, Teddy Serot, 1, of Webster Groves, at Anheuser-Busch. “We took the whole family to see the lights and the Clydesdales for Christmas,” Peggy said. “Teddy loved it!”
Betty Todd of High Ridge sent a picture of herself and Santa Claus at a High Ridge Fire District station. “I was checking to see if his beard is real, and it was!” Betty said.
Betty Todd of High Ridge sent a picture of her granddaughter, Alexa, in loungewear she received on Christmas Eve.
Betty Todd of High Ridge sent a picture of her great-granddaughter, Lily, opening presents on Christmas Eve. “You can see the excitement in her eyes,” Betty said.
Stephanie Mesey of Hillsboro took this picture in December 2024 at the Santa House in Festus. Pictured are her sons, Bennett Mesey, then 5, and Blake Mesey, with Santa. “Bennett was so excited to introduce Santa to his new baby brother, who was only 10 days old at the time,” Stephanie said.
Erin Riegler of Arnold took this picture of cousins Chase Riegler and Dean Harwood reading a Christmas story during a sleepover.
Erin Riegler of Arnold took this picture of cousins Milo and Avery Palazzolo and Vera Harwood, all from Imperial, baking Christmas cookies.
Erin Riegler of Arnold took this picture of Beverly Riegler of Pacific baking Christmas cookies with her grandchildren, Chase Riegler of Arnold and Hadlee and Everly Riegler of Pacific.
Lauren Guese sent a picture taken in December 2019 of her daughter, Avery Wilmurth, then 4. “You can see the magic of Santa and the magic Christmas in both of their faces,” Lauren said. “It's such a sweet and joyful moment I will cherish forever.”
Pamela Dennis of Dittmer took this picture last Christmas of her daughters, from left, Jazmyn and Daisy. The photo is special because it captures her children’s excitement, Pamela said.
Pamela Dennis of Dittmer took this picture last Christmas of her mother, Carol Drury of House Springs. “She is the most amazing and sweetest person,” Pamela said.
Pamela Dennis of Dittmer took this picture last Christmas of her family. “I always enjoy family time,” Pamela said. “Unfortunately, this was my grandma’s last Christmas. I’m glad we made the best of it.” In the front row, from right, are her niece, Lily of Barnhart; daughter, Daisy of Dittmer; and nephew, Jesse of Barnhart. In the back row, from left, are her mother, Carol of House Springs; her nephew, Roland of Robertsville; her daughter, Jazmyn of Dittmer; her late grandmother, Wilma, and her niece, Holly of Barnhart.
Stephanie Mesey of Hillsboro sent a picture from November 2024 during an annual family trip to Silver Dollar City. “Last year was especially memorable as it torrential downpoured the entire weekend. We made the best of it, however,” Stephanie said. “The photo was taken right before we were leaving the park in a very brief moment of no rain. As soon as we finished taking the photo, it began to rain again. As we were exiting the park, the tornado sirens went off, and we had to take shelter in a very crowded basement of a gift shop. A tornado passed by not too far from the theme park. It was a trip we will never forget!” Pictured are Mike and Donna Cooper of De Soto; Stephanie (then 8 months pregnant), Jesse and Bennett Mesey of Hillsboro and Angie, Jason, Jacob and Aubrey Forsythe of Barnhart.
Stephanie Mesey of Hillsboro sent a picture from November during an annual family trip to Silver Dollar City. Pictured are Mike and Donna Cooper of De Soto; Stephanie (then 8 months pregnant), Jesse, Blake and Bennett Mesey of Hillsboro and Angie, Jason, Jacob and Aubrey Forsythe of Barnhart.
Patricia Dennis of Robertsville took matching pictures of her grandson, Hudson Rea, 5, and Hudson’s grandfather, Mark Dennis. “We finally were able to purchase the iconic Christmas Story leg lamp,” Patricia said. “It’s a classic movie we watch a few times every holiday.”
Patricia Dennis of Robertsville took matching pictures of her grandson, Hudson Rea, 5, and Hudson’s grandfather, Mark Dennis. “We finally were able to purchase the iconic Christmas Story leg lamp,” Patricia said. “It’s a classic movie we watch a few times every holiday.”
Patricia Dennis of Robertsville sent a picture from 2020 of her grandson, Finley Dennis, then 1. “We would turn (the snow globe) on daily for him to enjoy,” Patricia said. “He still enjoys the globe every Christmas.”
Thomas Zacher of Fenton sent a picture of himself taken by his mother, Mary Zacher, on Christmas Eve in 1960.
Tiffany Rea of Robertsville shared pictures of her mother, Patricia Dennis of Robertsville, giving handmade Christmas stockings to Tiffany’s children, Hudson and Presley. “My great-aunts on my dad’s side made stockings for the whole Dennis family,” Tiffany said. “My mom took on the tradition and made our whole family stockings. I learned how to do it and made mine and my husband’s, but I plan to one day carry on the tradition to make them for all my kids and grandkids!” She also shared a picture of herself as a baby with her great-aunts in 1995.
Tiffany Rea of Robertsville shared pictures of her mother, Patricia Dennis of Robertsville, giving handmade Christmas stockings to Tiffany’s children, Hudson and Presley. “My great-aunts on my dad’s side made stockings for the whole Dennis family,” Tiffany said. “My mom took on the tradition and made our whole family stockings. I learned how to do it and made mine and my husband’s, but I plan to one day carry on the tradition to make them for all my kids and grandkids!” She also shared a picture of herself as a baby with her great-aunts in 1995.
Tiffany Rea of Robertsville shared pictures of her mother, Patricia Dennis of Robertsville, giving handmade Christmas stockings to Tiffany’s children, Hudson and Presley. “My great-aunts on my dad’s side made stockings for the whole Dennis family,” Tiffany said. “My mom took on the tradition and made our whole family stockings. I learned how to do it and made mine and my husband’s, but I plan to one day carry on the tradition to make them for all my kids and grandkids!” She also shared a picture of herself as a baby with her great-aunts in 1995.
Donna Bernert sent a picture taken in December 2015 of her Brittany spaniel, Abby, sitting in a festively decorated room. “This is the quiet before the storm of family and friends for the Christmas meal and celebration,” Donna said.
Sarah Connor of Festus took this picture in December 2019 that captures a family tradition. “This tree has been a tradition for me to put out every year since 2012 when my niece, Jessica Connor, passed away suddenly at the age of 10,” Sarah said. “She loved sock monkeys, so we put up this small tree to remember her and give everyone in the family a sock monkey gift. In 2019, it was sock monkey decorated cookies. Other years have included sock monkey mugs with cocoa, sock monkey chip clips, ornaments, socks...all sock monkeys.”
Tom Murphey of Arnold sent a picture from December 2024 of himself, his wife and their children at the Brewery Lights Festival in St. Louis. “This was special because we don’t often have both of our children home for the holidays at the same time,” Tom said. “James doesn’t get home for Christmas often, so this was a very special fun experience. It’s things like this that we often did together when they were young kids.” Pictured are James Murphey of Florida, Tom and Sue Murphey of Arnold and Jessica Kohlenberger of Arnold.
Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro sent a picture taken in 2024 by her daughter while the pair were at Festus Walmart. “We stopped to do some shopping, not realizing (local law enforcement were holding) Shop with a Cop, but we sure had a great time!” Rosemay said.
Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro sent a picture taken in 2024 by her daughter while the pair were at Festus Walmart. “We stopped to do some shopping, not realizing (local law enforcement were holding) Shop with a Cop, but we sure had a great time!” Rosemay said.
Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro sent a picture taken by her daughter, Donna, of a manger painted by Rosemary’s son. “My son-in-law and great-grandson Riley built this manger for me to put outside my bedroom window,” Rosemary said. “I spend many hours during the holidays looking at my nativity.”
Nancy Wood of De Soto shared a family photo from Christmas 1966. Pictured are Nancy’s late stepfather, Augustine E. Datillo; her sister, Linda Datillo Vachalek, then 15; and Nancy’s son, Sean Wood, then 6 months. Nancy enjoys this picture for the expression on Augustine’s and Sean’s faces. “This picture tears at my sister Linda’s and my heartstrings,” she said.
Nancy Wood of De Soto sent a picture from about 1982 at the De Soto City Fire Department firehouse on South Second Street. “We always had a great Christmas party, especially for the children of the firemen,” Nancy said. Included in the photo is Santa (the late D.J. Mahn). “D.J. loved doing this. Even some of the adults sat on his lap!” D.J. and his brother, the late Jerry Mahn, owned Mahn Funeral Home. Kneeling, from left, are Mikey and Adam Wilson, sons of fireman Chester Wilson. In the middle row, from left, are Regina Parmley (head turned), daughter of James and Jackie Parmley; Sally Boyer, daughter of Randy and Carolyn Boyer; Andy Coleman, son of Ed and Linda Coleman; Gabby Fielder, daughter of the late Steve Fielder; and James Coleman, son of Ed and Linda Coleman. In the back row, from left, are Betty Brod, daughter of Glen and Jeanine Brod; Lori Wood, daughter of John and Nancy Wood, holding Pam Becklor; and Jamie Maupin, son of the late Jim Maupin and Marty Maupin O’Rourke.
Nancy Wood of De Soto sent a picture from about 1982 at the De Soto City Fire Department firehouse on South Second Street. “We always had a great Christmas party, especially for the children of the firemen,” Nancy said. Included in the photo is Santa (the late D.J. Mahn). “D.J. loved doing this. Even some of the adults sat on his lap!” D.J. and his brother, the late Jerry Mahn, owned Mahn Funeral Home. Kneeling, from left, are Mikey and Adam Wilson, sons of fireman Chester Wilson. In the middle row, from left, are Betty Brod, daughter of Glen and Jeanine Brod; Regina Parmley, daughter of James and Jackie Parmley; Sally Boyer, daughter of Randy and Carolyn Boyer; Andy Coleman, son of Ed and Linda Coleman; Gabby Fielder, daughter of the late Steve Fielder; and James Coleman, son of Ed and Linda Coleman. In the back is Lori Wood, daughter of John and Nancy Wood.
Charissa Kappler of Festus sent a picture of her and Doug Kappler’s granddaughter, Gloria Forsyth of Tennessee, who is visiting for the holidays.
Charissa Kappler of Festus sent a picture of her and Doug Kappler’s granddaughters: Gloria Forsyth of Tennessee, Magnolia Cheney of Pevely and Penelope Gallion of Festus. “We were struggling trying to get just one good picture of them. They have so much fun together,” Charissa said.
Charissa Kappler of Festus sent a picture of her and Doug Kappler’s granddaughters: Gloria Forsyth of Tennessee, Magnolia Cheney of Pevely and Penelope Gallion of Festus. “We were struggling trying to get just one good picture of them. They have so much fun together,” Charissa said.
Heather and Nick Bahr of Arnold sent a photo from November of Blake and Drew at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind. “It was our first time there, and the boys loved it!” Heather said.
Every year, Chet and Cathy Pizzullo of Wildwood set up a Christmas photo booth for their family. For December 2024, the theme was “glitz and glamour.”
Every year, Chet and Cathy Pizzullo of Wildwood set up a Christmas photo booth for their family. For December 2024, the theme was “glitz and glamour.” In this picture, the couple shows off past Family Holiday Album editions of the Leader that included their photos.
Every year, Chet Pizzullo of Wildwood sets up a Christmas photo booth for his family. For December 2024, the theme was “glitz and glamour.” Pictured here along with Chet is his wife: Cathy; children: Allison Hanneken of St. Peters and Andrew Pizzullo of Chesterfield; daughter-in-law: Gabi Pizzullo of Chesterfield; mother and stepfather: Marilyn and Barry Amos of Wildwood; nephews and their wives: Steve and Jessi McIlvaine of Pacific, Cameron and Laura McIlvaine of Ballwin and Cody and Paige McIlvaine of Manchester; siblings: Michelle McIlvaine of Eureka and Zack Pizzullo of Wildwood; sisters-in-law: Stacey Pizzullo of Wildwood and Cheryl Rexrode of Ballwin; and stepbrother: Barry Amos Jr. of Yardley, Pa.
Stacy Moore of Fenton sent a picture of herself from December 2024. “I love dressing up for the holidays while teaching my fitness classes to get the Club Fitness members into the holiday spirit!” Stacy said.
Stacy Moore of Fenton sent a picture taken by her husband, T.J. Moore, in December 2023 of Stacy and her daughter, Hailey Moore, then 12, at Goose Creek Lake. “We like to have a friendly arm-wrestling competition during the holidays!” Stacy said. “The kids are definitely gaining strength each year on the adults!”
Bill Brown of Imperial sent a Christmas picture his mother took in the 1950s of himself, right, and his brother, Jim Brown. “Our family moved to Arnold in the 1950s,” Bill said. “Jim and I both graduated from Fox High School—Jim in 1964, me in 1966.”
Sandy Gray sent a picture she took on Christmas Day in 2009 of her husband, Mike Gray, and their grandchildren. “The whole family met in Phoenix, Ariz., to celebrate Christmas,” Sandy said. “We had just opened presents and the four grandkids were thanking grandpa with hugs and kisses, which turned into a free for all!” Pictured are, from left, Evi of Denver, Colo., Smith and Gray of Pheonix, Ariz., and Reily of Denver, Colo.
Jill Doty of Hillsboro sent a picture of her parents, Jim and Sallye Hopmann of Oakville. “This was taken last year when Santa stopped by their house for a visit,” Jill said.
Ginny Leitner of Festus sent a picture from Christmas 2004 of her grandchildren, Mallory Leitner Stout, 10; Luke Hebenstreit, 5; Sam Hebenstreit, 6; and Jake Leitner, 4.
Ginny Leitner of Festus sent a picture from Christmas 2024 of herself with her grandsons, Keegan Brown, 8, and Bode Brown, 6, both of St. Albans in unincorporated Franklin County.
Bill and Linda Conner of Arnold sent a picture Bill took in 2018 of his late mother-in-law and Santa (his son). “This is one of the last Christmas photos we have of her,” Bill said. “It is one of my favorite pictures.”
Bill and Linda Conner of Arnold sent a picture from December 2022 of their grandson, Orion Boyd. “Orion had so much fun using his skills to build Santa’s workshop at Home Depot,” Linda said. “A fun day with Grandma.”
Bill and Linda Conner of Arnold sent a picture from December 2022 of their grandson, Joe Joe Boyd. “We went to Home Depot and built a shop for Santa using tools and paint and had so much fun,” Linda said.
Claudia Foran of House Springs took this picture on Christmas Eve 2020 of her son, Patrick Foran, and his girlfriend, Natalie DeSantis, with their dog, Graci, and Guinea pig, Professor Pepperoni.
Claudia Foran of House Springs sent this picture taken on Christmas in 2021 by her son, Patrick Foran, of his girlfriend, Natalie DeSantis, with their guinea pigs, Professor Pepperoni and Garbanzo Beans
Claudia sent this picture from Christmas in 2023 of her grandson, Kyle Spisak, and his wife, Briannah, with their cats, Oreo and Lemony. The photo was taken by Briannah’s brother, Mark Tiarks.
Craig and Mary Conger of Eureka sent a picture taken on Christmas morning in 2024 of their children, James, Jack and Marie Conger.
Yvonne Boyer of Festus sent a picture taken on Christmas in 1958 by her father, Trenton De Boor, of herself and her siblings. Pictured are, from left, Amanda (De Boor) Jackson, Yvonne, Jim De Boor, Barbara (De Boor) Perskey and Charlie De Boor. “My sister, Amanda, was age 7 and a bit of a tomboy,” Yvonne said. “My parents had gotten dolls for the girls and cowboy attire for the boys. Amanda cried until dad called his good friend—the manager of Gasen’s—and had him open the pharmacy, which had everything, to buy one more set of cowboy attire! This made Christmas complete!”
Sandy Ballew of Imperial sent a picture taken in December 2023 of herself and her grandson, Danny Ballew of St. Louis. “My husband and I were watching Danny a couple of days a week at the time of the photo,” Sandy said. “My daughter-in-law (Emily Ballew) was bringing Danny that morning for us to watch him. While chatting with Emily a moment, I sat with Danny so he could see the tree and get up close to it. He was touching a shiny mirrored ornament.” Emily took the photo.
Debbie Kolb of Eureka took this photo of her grandchildren on Christmas Day in 2017. Pictured are Ava Kolb of Villa Ridge, Eli McFadden of Eureka, Easton Murrell of Marthasville and Danielle Murrell of Washington, Mo.
Valerie Dannenberg sent a picture from 2000 of her grandson, Dylan Stevens, then 2.
